Product Details

• Actors: Clay Aiken, Barry Manilow, Yolanda Adams, Quiana Parler
• Format: Color, DVD, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: RCA
• DVD Release Date: December 14, 2004
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (55 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0006GY1QW
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #66,356 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
American Idol runner-up Clay Aiken still needs a hair stylist and better wardrobe, but his silvern vocals are handsomely rewarding on this holiday television special. For reasons never quite explained, the unusual production actually deconstructs the illusion of a seamless TV show by showing cast and crew buzzing about between songs. But this gimmick is easily overlooked whenever Aiken breaks into one of his clear-as-a-bell renditions of a Yuletide classic. Highlights include "Christmas Waltz," with particularly thoughtful lyrics; the touching "Merry Christmas with Love"; and a sassy "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town," the last shared with Barry Manilow and Yolanda Adams. Showman Manilow delivers a pleasant medley, and Adams is strong on her pop-gospel turn, "O Holy Night." A cute scene features all the performers talking about unusual gifts, and the finale finds Aiken and friends bringing down the house with "Because It's Christmas (For All the Children." --Tom Keogh

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

81 of 84 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AIKEN MAKES EVERY SONG SPECIAL, November 22, 2004

By	D. C. SWAFFORD (Jacksonville, FL) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm not a fan of traditional Christmas music. However, I am a Clay Aiken fan, so I bought the CD. I had already heard "Mary, Did You Know" countless times online and loved it. It's the best cut. But I was in for a really nice surprise. Clay brings new life to old music and makes every song special on this album. The accompaniment is just right and never takes over. It just enhances Clay's smooth and sincere rendering of the lyrics. At times during the most reverential songs, I felt as if I were hearing worship and wanted to take part in it. While this CD cannot be compared to his "Measure of a Man" - apples and oranges - Clay has once again made a solid and beatiful album that will be listened to over and over for many years.

62 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars INSTANT CLASSIC & EMMY WORTHY!!!!, December 15, 2004

By	K. N. Nelson (California, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Elegant and classy, dazzling and heartwarming, humble and great. So many elements make "A Clay Aiken Christmas" totally EMMY WORTHY. Clay has created an instant classic Christmas DVD that will be enjoyed for many many years. In his casual, warm and inviting style, we join him in his living room for an evening as he honors the songs of Christmas that represent timeless values in his beautiful, pure, pitch perfect voice.

I was moved by the consciousness of spirituality that infuses but never overwhelms the production. I loved the fade to black following Clay's glorious rendition of "Mary Did You Know" and the moment of silent reverence it implied. The windows-within- windows concept along with the work in progress format of this DVD will never become boring because it is continually evolving in visually gorgeous, interesting and entertaining streams on so many levels. There is logic to the way each song lead to the other and I was impressed with the smooth and easy transitions in the overstructure.

I loved Yolanda Adams inspired gospel rendition of "O Holy Night". The brilliant Barry Manilow added style and class to the production with his timeless voice and charming manner. Quiana Parler did a wonderful job on her duet with Clay.

Clay provided an abundance of dazzling eye candy and childlike wonderment for kids of all ages with a toy train chugging along under the tree covered with myriad lights and glistening ornaments that were used at times as a glittering framework for the scene unfolding.

The set decoration was perfect, classy and inviting and the camera operator kept the production visually fascinating by attention to all the artistic details and visual treats that continued to unfold as christmas wrappings to reveal hidden treasures inside. Aiken has gifted us with a top quality, family inclusive Christmas present that all ages can enjoy for a very long time.

It is easy to grade this DVD with 5 stars. I wish there were more stars to show Clay and others that we appreciate quality and tastefulness in media and that we will continue to support Clay because he has earned it and he is worth it.

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars "Buy it You will like it ", December 17, 2004

By	Myrna - Toronto (Canada) - See all my reviews

I watched the christmas show on tv as well as the DVD. The DVD shows clarity and it's nice to watch something with no commercials. Very well organized. Christmas decorations were just perfect. Showing behind the scenes was very good idea. The set up provides a very homey athmosphere. While watching, I felt like I was in the same room.
Songs between Clay Aiken, Yolanda Adams, Meghan Mullaly and Barry Manilow were well thought out. I enjoyed it very much.
Clay Aiken's song "Mary Did You Know" is a perfect song for him. I'ts a haunting song and makes me very religious. I cry everytime I hear it because it reminds of my husband who passed away 2 years ago.
I look forward to a duet between Clay Aiken and Barry Manilow. I am sure they will be great together. This DVD is worth buying, you and your family can enjoy it for many years to come.